Friends, family members and United Way supporters made their way to Historic Dodgertown’s Holman Stadium last Saturday to cheer on their favorite doctors and lawyers at the fifth annual Sawbones vs. Jawbones Charity Softball Game to benefit the United Way of Indian River County.
The game began under a clear blue sky, but rain clouds slowly formed during the first few innings and a soft drizzle turned into a steady downpour, ending the game early at the top of the seventh. The players sportingly played on for their fans through three soggy innings, but eventually were forced to call it quits. The Sawbones were declared the winners with a score of 28 to 8.
“In the past we have made between $4000 and $5000,” said Michael Kint, United Way CEO. “It is not from ticket sales but from the money the teams have raised for sponsorships.”
Cost to spectators was a minimal $5 per person, or $10 per family; keeping it affordable so that everyone could come out and watch their hometown physicians and attorneys battle it out.
The two top Grand Slam sponsors were Riverside Café and the Dr. Nicholas Coppola family on behalf of #LiveLikeCole; remembering 16-year old Cole Coppola, who tragically was struck and killed last September while riding his bike over the Alma Lee Loy Bridge.
Home Run Sponsors included Anesthesia of Indian River, Florida Cancer Specialists, the Grall Law Group, Rossway, Swan, Tierney & Barry Attorneys at Law, and attorney Bobby Guttridge, who was a huge force this year in organizing and decking out the teams.
Having become friends over the years, the players good naturedly teased each other about their ages, tired knees and skill levels, smiling and playing hard even when the score became lopsided.
“I used to play long ago when I was in Puerto Rico,” said Dr. Denny Malave, adding that he and several other physicians had been recruited by Dr. Geoff Wolf. “I was much younger when I used to play and it sure doesn’t get any easier!”
Announcers Jeff Batista and Maureen Luther kept the crowd laughing as well, urging the lawyers to return to their glory days – as in last year when they were the winning team. Mid-game children were invited to run a short relay race on the field, earning small prizes and toys.
“What’s neat is that this is a tradition that started forty years ago and went by the wayside,” said Kint. “But then a few docs and lawyers got together and said let’s start it up again for United Way. It may not be the kind of crowd we had at Jackie Robinson Day but they’re having just as much fun.”
Soggy but smiling, players and friends gathered at a post-game party at Riverside Café where the winning trophy was awarded with a year of bragging rights to the Sawbones